The numbers are key as Bedford Post 54 won the state title 5-4 over Salem at steamy Holman Stadium on Tuesday. (Facebook photo)

NASHUA — The Bedford Stevens-Buswell Post 54 Senior Legion baseball team came into the state tournament at Holman Stadium feeling it was the best team, having won 16 of 17 regular season games.

Tuesday, there’s no doubt, as Bedford edged Salem Post 63 5-4 to win the state championship and a berth in the Northeast Regionals next month.

It wasn’t easy. Remember, Bedford got to the finals when a bang-bang play at the plate went its way to send co-favorite Nashua into survival mode on Monday. Yesterday, Salem proved to be just as tough, rallying to tie the game at 4 before Bedford’s Noah Durham doubled home James Gilbert with the tie-breaking run in the bottom of the sixth. Gilbert had drawn a walk.

Owen Sereno was the winning pitcher, while for Salem, Jake Sullo had a pair of doubles and scored a run.

Gilbert was named the tourney MVP as he had a single, double and scored three runs, including the championship winner.

Bedford finished the season at 20-1, going 4-0 in the tournament.